Lakers executive VP Jim Buss was criticized last week for hiring Mike Brown as the team’s head coach without consulting the team’s star, Kobe Bryant. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Buss said if he were to go through the process again, he would have asked for Bryant’s input.

"Looking back on it, we should have contacted Kobe," Buss said. "Kobe said it was management's job to pick a coach. He just said, 'Defense first.' That's what we were doing, but we should have reached out to him."

But Buss said he’s not worried about the chemistry between Bryant and Brown.

"The way Mike impressed the three of us (himself; his father, team owner Jerry Buss; and GM Mitch Kupchak), I would think Kobe would be impressed as well. Mike is a workaholic and Kobe is the workaholic."

Buss also said he was “surprised” by the largely negative reaction to Browns’ hiring, but believes that was because of how he is perceived by media and fans. "I wanted (Brown) to know they are picking on me, which explains why they are picking on him. But it's a reflection on me, not him. He hasn't done anything wrong."

Additionally, while some reports said Brown was the only candidate interviewed, Buss said Brian Shaw and Rick Adelman also got interviews.